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Gaiole in Chianti (2,300 inhabitants) is a small village of Chianti, that is positioned along the course of the current Massellone, the village has developed from the thirteenth century as a market place, becoming one of the capitals of Terziere of the Lega del Chianti (League of Chianti), with Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti. The League of Chianti was a political and administrative organization of the Republic of Florence. For several centuries Gaiole was one of the outposts of Florence towards Siena and was often the target of attacks and raids, this situation ended in 1555 with the final surrender of Siena. Gaiole remained capital of a Terziere of the Lega del Chianti (League of Chianti) until 1776, when the administrative system of leagues was abolished.
Gaiole in Chianti is a charming village located between woods and hills, there are few remains of the ancient fortifications with some towers. In the territory of Gaiole there are some interesting castles and religious buildings of merit. Brolio castle is certainly the most famous structure of the area, built by the Florentines in the late fifteenth century it presents bastions and inside a palace built by Bettino Ricasoli in 1860.
WHAT TO SEE IN THE SURROUNDINGS
Meleto Castle is another building to visit – today the site of a farm-house – it was built in the twelfth century and is characterized by circular towers. Among the religious buildings to visit in the area of Gaiole in Chianti are: the Romanesque church of San Giusto in Salcio 11th century and then rebuilt in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the parish church of San Polo in Rosso, a typical example of fortified church from eleventh century, and the church of Santa Maria in Spaltenna of the twelfth century. The medieval village of Vertine is a typical fortified village of Chianti. The Badia a Coltibuono is an old monastery transformed into a villa-farm, near which are the evocative remains of the fortress of Montegrossi.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Weekly market in Gaiole in Chianti: every second Monday of the month 14.00-20.00
Tourist Information Office
Ufficio Informazioni Via G.Galilei 11 tel. e fax +39 0577 749411
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- AA. VV. “Toscana” Guide Rosse Touring Club Italiano, 2007
- Stopani Renato “Gaiole” 2005, Firenzelibri
- Ciampolini Marco, Avanzati Elisabetta “Il Chianti senese. Masse orientali di Siena” 2001, NIE
- Buccianti Oliviero, Cellai Nicoletta “I monti del Chianti. 12 itinerari trekking da Greve a Gaiole” 2013, Società Editrice Fiorentina
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